Health Reform Programs

e-Health

The adoption and effective use of electronic health information systems can play a significant role in transforming the health care system and in supporting healthier communities. New tools are bringing the power of information systems to the practice of health care and public health, improving quality, safety and cost.

2009 Uniform Administrative Transactions RequirementsMinnesota Statutes, section 62J.536 was enacted in 2007 and amends the Health Care Administrative Simplification Act of 1994 (ASA) to require that all health care providers and group purchasers (payers) exchange health care administrative transactions electronically, using standard data content and format by 2009. The Minnesota Department of Health is developing rules for the standard transactions in consultation with the Minnesota Administrative Uniformity Committee (AUC), a large, voluntary organization of providers, payers and state agencies.

2011 e-Prescribing Requirements
This mandate requires any person or organization involved in prescribing, filling prescriptions or paying for prescriptions, including communicating or transmitting formulary or benefit information, must do so electronically using specified standards by January 1, 2011.

2015 Interoperable Electronic Health Record Mandate
The mandate requires all hospitals and health care providers to have "an interoperable electronic health records system within their hospital system or clinical practice setting" by the year 2015 (Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.495). This applies to all providers who deliver health services in the state of Minnesota. The mandate ensures that the benefits of e-health apply across the entire continuum of care, from cradle to grave, from primary to specialty care, public to private, and from traditional to alternative practitioners.